Correlation of bone density measured on CT chest with the severity of COVID-19 infection: A retrospective study

Noha Bakhsh1, Mai Banjar2, Mukhtiar Baig3

  • 1Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, Department of Medicine, Division of Radiology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Plos One
|June 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Bone mineral density (BMD) did not predict survival in COVID-19 patients. The pneumonia severity score (PSS) from chest CT scans was the significant factor for predicting patient outcomes in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Bone Health

Background:

  • COVID-19 poses significant health risks, with severity varying widely among patients.
  • Understanding prognostic factors is crucial for managing severe cases and improving patient outcomes.
  • Bone mineral density (BMD) has been explored as a potential factor influencing disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and COVID-19 severity.
  • To determine if BMD can serve as a prognostic indicator for COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To compare the predictive value of BMD with the pneumonia severity score (PSS) in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of adult COVID-19 patients who underwent chest CT scans between January 2020 and April 2022.
  • Pulmonary severity scores (PSS) and vertebral BMD were measured from CT scans.
  • Electronic health records were analyzed for patient demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The study included 136 patients with an average age of 56.4 years; 73.5% were male.
  • Diabetes and hypertension were common comorbidities. ICU admission was required for 64%, and mortality was 30%.
  • Logistic regression showed elevated PSS predicted reduced survival, while age, gender, and BMD did not.

Conclusions:

  • Bone mineral density (BMD) was found to have no prognostic value for COVID-19 survival.
  • The pneumonia severity score (PSS) derived from chest CT scans is a significant predictor of COVID-19 patient outcomes.
  • Clinical management should focus on factors like PSS rather than BMD for predicting COVID-19 prognosis.
Abstract

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